TV-2 general manager Mike Paquin, senior electronic media major, talks with TV-2 news director Katie Morse, senior broadcast major, in the hallway outside of TV-2’s newsroom in the Music and Speech Center Saturday afternoon. A leak in the newsroom ceiling

Credit: Steve Schirra

TV-2 news director Katie Morse spent her Sunday morning mopping the floor of her newsroom.

“It’s like half a newsroom now,” said Morse, a senior broadcast journalism major.

Roughly an inch of water had fallen in the newsroom in the Music and Speech Building. The leak began as a slow dribble on Aug. 28 and started causing serious damage by Sunday.

Bob Misbrener, associate director of Campus Environment and Operations, said the leak was caused by a contractor who had forgotten to cut a hole in the new roof membrane over one of the roof drains. The water from the rain grew over the unfinished roof and seeped in over the edges.

Water also poured into the neighboring Dell classroom, which was donated to the university last fall.

“Over the weekend, it was really a waterfall,” said Stan Wearden, director of the School of Communication Studies.

The classroom’s Dell SmartBoard, a large interactive digital display, was also damaged by water. Wearden estimates it will cost at least $2,000 to replace the SmartBoard alone. This does not account for potential electrical damage, which Wearden said may cost as much as $6,000.

Although the board hasn’t been tested yet, Wearden said it will probably have to be replaced due to the large water stain on the display.

Wearden also said some of the ceiling tiles and recently-painted walls suffered considerable water damage and need to be replaced.

The leak in the TV-2 newsroom damaged a printer, keyboard and mouse. TV-2 general manager Mike Paquin said this wasn’t the first time he has dealt with water issues in the newsroom.

The roof repair began in the summer and remains incomplete. A sump pump was placed on the roof to remove the pool of water.

TV-2 began its practice broadcasts yesterday and Paquin doesn’t anticipate the leak causing any major problems with production.

“It’s going to mean a few late nights instead of a short afternoon,” said Paquin.

TV-2 is scheduled to launch live programming on Sept. 19.

Contact public affairs reporter Ben Breier at [email protected].